Girl Thought Car Was Uber Before Chase, Fatal Southfield Crash: Police

SOUTHFIELD, MI — A 17-year-old girl thought she was getting into an Uber before the car became involved in a police chase that ended in a deadly crash Tuesday in Southfield, police said during a Thursday news conference.

The teen, along with another 17-year-old girl, were in the Kia at 7:30 p.m. when officers tried stopping the car at Westhampton and Evergreen roads after learning it was stolen out of Detroit a week earlier, according to police.

The driver, a 19-year-old man, sped away from officers and immediately drove through a chain-link fence and smashed into a concrete barrier on Evergreen Road between Westhampton and Westover, according to police.

The chase lasted roughly 30 seconds and reached speeds up to 40 miles per hour, according to police.

The driver, whom investigators identified as Jarrell Dewand Newman II of Taylor, was taken to a nearby hospital where he died, according to police.

The two 17-year-old girls suffered non-life threatening injuries in the crash, according to police.

Investigators did not say whether they believe Newman stole the car, but noted he didn't have a troubled history with law enforcement. They also noted no weapons were found in the car and that the car wasn't linked to any other crimes.

"When a police officer activates the lights and sirens, that is a lawful order to stop that vehicle," Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren said. "It’s just not worth the consequences of attempting to flee from the officer. Just stop, even if you find yourself in some trouble."

Investigators were still trying to determine the relationships of the three people in the car. They also said they don't believe the two girls will be charged in connection to the chase and crash.